Comcast Corporation Executive Karen Dougherty Buchholz Named 2014 Women's Initiative Honoree

PHILADELPHIA, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Karen Dougherty Buchholz, Senior Vice President of Administration for Comcast Corporation, will receive the 2014 Women's Initiative Award during United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey's  (UWGPSNJ) Women's Initiative Gala, presented by Independence Blue Cross,  on March 26, 2014 at the Crystal Tea Room. Entering its second decade, UWGPSNJ's Women's Initiative in Southeastern Pennsylvania is a leadership network committed to philanthropy and volunteerism. Its members aim to support United Way's mission by encouraging women to recognize their philanthropic power and engage in service projects that strengthen programs for underserved women and girls.

"Karen has been a great champion for United Way, using her influence to help advance our work in the areas of education, income and health within Comcast and throughout this region," said Jill Michal, UWGPSNJ president and CEO. "And personally, Karen has been a wonderful mentor, role model and friend. She truly embodies what the Women's Initiative is all about – women making an impact for women and girls through volunteerism and philanthropy."

Each year, the Women's Initiative Gala attracts upwards of 800 guests and is the forum through which UWGPSNJ publicly acknowledges the Women's Initiative Honoree, a woman whose personal and career accomplishments exemplify philanthropic and professional leadership. For more than 20 years, Buchholz has made significant contributions to the Greater Philadelphia region. A highly-respected and accomplished business leader, she has led the development of major infrastructure, including the Wells Fargo Center sports and entertainment venue and the impressive Comcast Center. She has also played a lead role in positioning Philadelphia as a destination for major events, such as the 2000 Republican National Convention, which brought more than 50,000 visitors and $300 million in economic benefits to the city.

Buchholz has also demonstrated a tremendous commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism through her longtime engagement with United Way. In 2011, she co-chaired the Women's Initiative Gala and continues to be a remarkable advocate for United Way's work to support women and girls in our region. Since 2005, Buchholz has served on United Way's Campaign Cabinet and, along with her husband, Carl Buchholz, chaired United Way's Tocqueville Society in 2005 and 2006, lending her time and leadership to strengthen engagement amongst some of United Way's most generous donors. In addition to her work for UWGPSNJ, Buchholz is very active in the community and serves on the Board of Directors for numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including: Beneficial Mutual Bancorp Inc.; Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (appointed by Governor Tom Corbett); Germantown Academy; Pennsylvania Conference for Women; Paradigm Award and Scholarship Committee; Pyramid Club; and University of Pennsylvania's Trustees' Council of Penn Women.

Buchholz is honored to receive the award, which has been presented in the past to Tierney President and CEO Mary Stengel Austen, Comcast Vice President of Community Investment Charisse Lillie, The Leaders Edge/Leaders By Design President and CEO Molly Shepard and philanthropist Carole Haas Gravagno.

"I am thrilled to receive this significant award because my connection to United Way's Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow initiative is very personal," said Buchholz. "Part of my pledge and mission is to advocate for young girls and all women to embrace their full leadership potential, to support each other, and to take confident, actionable steps to impact their communities for the better. I am proud to share this award with all of the amazing United Way GTLT girls."

Proceeds from the Gala support Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow (GTLT) — the Women's Initiative's signature program that empowers girls in grades 7 through 12 from underserved communities, helping them embrace their leadership potential while developing heightened awareness of educational and career opportunities. Since its inception in 2003, the Women's Initiative has raised over $3 million in support of this program and others that improve the lives of underserved women and girls.

In addition to Independence Blue Cross, the Women's Initiative Gala's more than 50 sponsors include Comcast Corporation, Astra Zeneca, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Liberty Property Trust, Pfizer, Vanguard, Altria Group, PwC, Quaker Chemical Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Ballard Spahr LLP, Beneficial Bank, CRW Graphics, Deloitte LLP, Diversified Search, Half the Sky, Hollister Creative, The Leaders Edge/Leaders By Design, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, PNC and UPS. 

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May  and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health.

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SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey